PCOS, contraception and diabetes
Diabetes Health Matters with Dr Joan St John
24/03/2026, 18:30 GMT (UK)
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In this episode
Hormones can influence your blood sugar, weight, mood, and overall health. For women living with diabetes, conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and contraception choices can make managing daily health more complex. Yet these topics are sometimes overlooked in routine care.
In this session, Dr Joan St John is joined by returning expert guests, Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun, GP with a specialist interest in women’s health and menopause care, and Dr Aziza Sesay, GP, educator and founder of Talks with Dr Sesay. Together they explore how PCOS and contraception interact with diabetes and what this means for the health of Black people living with diabetes.
You will hear why contraceptive options may depend on diabetes control, how PCOS can affect blood sugar and weight, and what personalised strategies can help people living with diabetes stay healthy and protected. The discussion will also cover symptoms to watch for, safe treatment options, and how to have empowering conversations with your healthcare team.
Whether you live with diabetes, support someone who does, or work in healthcare, this webinar will give you practical insight and tools to take control of your health, prevent complications, and feel empowered to make informed choices.
Disclaimer: Eli Lilly and Company and A. Menarini Farmaceutica Internazionale SRL have provided sponsorship to Diabetes Africa to support the costs of running the ‘Diabetes Health Matters’ event series, and have not had any input into the programme, content or selection of speakers.
Featured experts
Dr Joan St John
GPwER Diabetes, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
Dr Joan St John is a General Practitioner (GP) with special interest in diabetes, and is currently working as GP Clinical lead in Diabetes for an area of North-West London, UK. She also works as part of the multi-disciplinary award-winning Brent Integrated Diabetes Service. Summary
Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun
General Practitioner with a specialist interest in women’s health and menopause care, UK
Dr Aziza Sesay
General Practitioner, Educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Founder of ‘Talks with Dr. Sesay’, UK
Event sponsors
Further information
With ‘Diabetes Health Matters’, Dr Joan St John shares her lifetime experience caring for people from many different backgrounds and origins to tackle the hottest topics encountered through her practice. Dr St John brings together people with lived experience, healthcare professionals and other experts for a series of meetings focused particularly on African and Caribbean health. But the information you will hear about is universal and can be used by anyone.
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